Grace Blog
Redemption Defined by Pastor Tom Ascol
The book, John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, and Doxology (ed. Burk Parsons) was just released last week by Reformation Trust, and Pastor Tom Ascol has written a chapter in the book addressing John Calvin and the atonement entitled “Redemption Defined” (for a quick preview of the book, go here).
In his chapter, Pastor Tom addresses both the necessity and nature of the atonement, addressing three key words–propitiation, redemption, and reconciliation. He begins in the introduction to his chapter with the following words by John Calvin:
“In all the creatures, indeed, both high and low, the glory of God shines, but nowhere has it shone more brightly than in the cross, in which there has been an astonishing change of things, the condemnation of all men has been manifested, sin has been blotted out, salvation has been restored to men; and, in short, the whole world has been renewed, and everything restored to good order.”
In my preview of this book, I gave the following preliminary thoughts to the book:
In recent years, there have been several great compilation books addressing the lives, theology, and ministry of the Puritans, Jonathan Edwards, and other giants of the faith. To see this work on John Calvin come out on the eve of the 500th year of his birth looks to be a great resource for those reading of Calvin for the first time as well as those who have found him a familiar friend and mentor in the faith. Be sure to pick up a copy of this book comprised of doctrinally rich and devotionally rewarding chapters of one of the greatest theologians (as well as minister and church planter) of church history.
Calvin was right when he said that salvation consists in the doctrine of the cross, and we would be challenged to read the lives of those who made the cross the central focus of thinking, believing, and living.
Labels: Atonement, John Calvin, Redemption Accomplished | posted by TimBrister at 10:53 am | Categories: News and Announcements, Resources |
